Kiyonga arrived in Bujumbura for “consultations on the situation and the peace process in Burundi”, Ugandan government spokesman Ofwono Opondo told RFI by telephone. Kiyonga is acting as lead mediator on behalf of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni who is leading efforts for the East African Community.

The Ugandan defence minister had on Wednesday held a meeting with the European Union delegation and EU ambassadors in Uganda about Burundi, according to Opondo.

“We hope that he is going to be there today and tomorrow and then return. After that he will give the outcome, he will know how to move with that process forward,” the spokesman said.

The UN, EU and African Union had on Thursday issued a joint statement calling for a continuation of dialogue with Burundi’s government and the opposition held outside of the country.

“We agreed on the urgency to convene a meeting of the Burundian government and opposition representatives in Addis Ababa, or in Kampala under the chairmanship of President Museveni,” a statement from officials from the three organisations said.

Uganda’s government spokesman would not be drawn on whether they support such an initiative. “As to the preferred venue, I think Dr Kiyonga will give that when he returns from Bujumbura,” Opondo said, adding that “maybe that proposal was made” during Kiyonga’s meeting with EU ambassadors.

Some 240 have been killed since Burundi’s crisis began in April with more than 200,000 people having fled the country. Violence was sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s controversial decision to run for a third term in office.